Cars wrapped around the main parking lot Monday at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, a new covid-19 drive-through testing site.

The Central Outreach Wellness Center offered drive-through testing in the lot between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. But the vehicles were lining up well before 10:30 a.m. The line stretched around the entirety of the lot, snaking down Butler Street, past the Highland Park Bridge.

“Overall, it went really well,” said Dr. Stacy Lane, founder of Central Outreach Wellness Center, headquartered on Pittsburgh’s North Side. She said they will conduct more tests Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m.

Lane said 138 people received tests Monday. About 150 people were turned away because they did not meet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention testing criteria, she said. In general, health care officials limit testing to people with presentable symptoms or a travel history to a hot spot, or other clear risk factors.

“We’re doing this as long as we can, but we aren’t funded at this point,” Lane said. “We’re doing this as a public service.”

Drivers waited in line for hours to reach the testing site, where professionals in rain ponchos assisted patients during the downpour.

Tribune-Review partner WPXI provided video of the cars lining up at the site.

Referrals or prescriptions were not required to receive testing, although the Central Outreach Wellness Center asked that patients come prepared with photo ID and an insurance card. No one was turned away for lack of insurance or an inability to pay.

The center began conducting drive-up testing at locations on the North Shore, Aliquippa and Washington last week. The zoo’s site builds on efforts to provide more testing options across the region.

Last week on the North Shore, 136 people received tests, Lane said. Of those, seven have been positive so far, Lane said.

Officials hope to avoid massive overcrowding at hospitals and emergency rooms. Studies show the hospitals could be overwhelmed if covid-19 infects 40% to 60% of the region’s population.

Assistant News Editor Ben Schmitt contributed to this report.

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